Page 71 of Marvelous

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Zaden was reading a book.

Alec caught me smiling at them when he said, “I wouldn’t mind having two. How about you?”

I felt a lump form in my throat.

I just smiled and wanted to bow down at Frank’s feet when he said, “Okay, love y’all, but y’all gotta go home. Haven’t had my woman all day.”

Misty snapped, “Frank.”

We all stood up, gathered our coats, and piled out into our own vehicles.

Alec was silent in the truck as I ran through what he said.

And felt something in my heart crack open.

Fuck.

‘Never let anyone treat you like a yellow starburst. You are a pink starburst.’

– Text from Alec to Cassie.

Chapter 10

Alec

I was silent for a multitude of reasons.

Had I scared her?

Frightened her?

Did she not want kids?

With me?

Fuck, but my head was fucked up.

I pulled into the driveway, and she didn’t unbuckle her seat belt.

She just stared out the window.

I was happy to let her process her thoughts.

Yes, I wanted to know right then and there, but this was my Cassie.

My Cupcake.

Waited my whole life for her, and I’d keep on waiting.

Then finally, she said, “You know I was fostered in a few homes before my dad got custody of me, right?”

I nodded.

Then she sighed, “Didn’t think they would let a drunk get custody of a child. But they did. I was twelve, caught an infection. He cared more about his bottles of alcohol than he did medicine. So, I didn’t get it.”

I inhaled a breath. Fuck me.

No.

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